Compressor without glands for use especially in refrigerating machines



May 17, 1932 L. ROEBEL 1,858,904

COMPRESSOR WITHOUT GLANDS FOR USE ESPECIALLY IN REFRIGERATING MACHINES Filed July 31, 1930 3 r 5 4i 1 E I i 40\\ I 40 4% H --1 Patented May 1 7, 1932 PATENT OFFICE LUDWIG ROEBEL, OF MANNHEIM, GERMANY COM PRESSOR WITHOUT GLANDS FOR USE ESPECIALLY IN REFRIGERATING MACHINES Application filed July 81, 1930, Serial No. 471,952, and in Germany August 5, 1929.

The present invention relates to improvements in refrigerating machines of the type employing a plurality of compressors rotatable about a common axis and which are 5 simultaneously rotated about axes individual thereto and parallel to the common axis.

In the compressors, of such refrigerating machines, the forward and backward movements of the pistons are effected responsive to centrifugal forces and the rates of such movements are in dependence upon the rotational speeds of the cylinders thereof.

In such machines great difliculties have been experienced in sealing the chambers thereof against the escape of the refrigerating fluid from the' machine into the atmosphere and the sealing of the machine against the leakage of the outer air thereinto. Such difficulties have arisen because of the great number of points to be sealed in the channels for the movements of the refrigerating fluid between and in the compressors and the other portions of the installation. The disadvantages are particularly noticeable by virtue of the fact that the refrigerating medium usually employed is of a poisonous nature and has an undesirable odor with resultant danger of pollution of the surrounding atmosphere. Moreover, such leakages necessitate such frequent replacements of the refrigerating medium and parts of the machines as to make such expensive and impractical.

An object of the invention is, therefore, the provision of a refrigerating machine of the 85 rotational compressor type in which there is provided one or more completerefrigerating units" wherein the refrigerating medium is so sealed as to make impossible the leakage thereof to the surrounding atmosphere.

Another object of the invention is the-provision of a machine comprising one or more complete refrigerating units having compressors with a plurality of pistons operative responsive to centrifugal forces so connected with Vaporizers and condensers as to make impossible the leakage of refrigerant therefrom to the surroundingatmosphere. A further object of the invention is the provision of a machine comprising one or more complete refrigerating units wherein each such unit comprises a compressor of the mul- 'ti-c vlind er type with pistons therein operat-ively responsive to centrifugal forces whereby the capacity of such units is increased, and

the connection of such compressors with the other elements of the unit in such manner as to obviate possibility of the leakage of refrigerant therefrom.

A further object of the invention is the provision, in such machines as above defined, of means whereby the circulation of refrigerant through the individual elements thereof is automatically maintained constant by a regu- 'lator operative responsive to the pressure of the refrigerant 1n its vaporized form.

Other objects and advantages of the invention'will be apparent from the following description and claims when read in connection with the 1 accompanying drawings in which i Fig. 1 shows a section through the length of the whole refrigerating machine in which two single refrigerators placed on opposite sides are visible. Fig. 1 further shows the construction of the support and the special drive for the separate units. Fig. 2 is a section through AA on Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of the refrigerating machine in which there. are shown separate refrigerators each having 2 cylinders which in turn have each one piston. Figs. 4 and 5 are diagrammatic illustrations of the regulation device of the vaporizer jet.

Fig. 6 illustrates means, comprising a Pitot tube immersed in the cooled liquid which serves to develop from kinetic energy of the liquid and pressure necessary to circulate it, and

Fig. 7 illustrates diagrammatically the appa'atus for the circulation of the cooled liqu1 Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, the numeral 1 designates the sta tionary housing in which the supporting member consisting of the revolving flange 2 and the container 3 of the Vaporizers of the individual refrigerating machines is arranged. The supporting member is driven from the shaft 5, which is led through the middle of the whole machine While the one or more refrigerators 4, are arranged about this shaft and are driven through gears 6, 7 from the said shaft 5. The refrigerator or the refrigerators, therefore revolve with the supporting member about the shaft 5 and also revolve about their own axes 8. The ratio of the gear wheels 6, 7 determines the ratio of the angular velocity of the separate cylinders to that of the whole machine. This double rotation causes the piston.9 to travel regularly backwards and forwards in the cylinder. The piston 9 is double acting and draws the cooling medium out of the vaporizer 10 through the suction space between the cylinders, through the opening 12 and forces it through the opening 13 into the compression space 14. Connecting the vaporizer with the suction space is a splralshaped tube 11 arranged to scoop up the revolving liquid cooling-medium from the walls of the vaporizer chamber and also any oil whichhas leaked in, returning the whole through the centre of the shaft to the suction space. A

float spring-valve 15 closes the cylinder 0n the reverse stroke of the piston. The cool-- ing medium in the compression space 14 escapes through the tube 16 and jet 17 to the vaporizer chamber 10, where heat is extracted from its surroundings due to its vaporizing. The vaporizer chamber is partially submerged in the liquid 18 to be cooled which is rotating with the revolving container 3. The separate refrigerators are advantageously held in ball bearin gs 19 placed in the supporting member. The gear wheel 20 is used,

when necessary while starting, for the adjust ment of the separate refrigerating machines.

Fig. 2 of the drawings represents a section through the line AA on Fig. 1, and shows the suction space for the cooling medium which is drawn therefrom in accordance with themovements of the piston 9 and passes through the opening 12 into the inside of the cylinder. The double action of the pistons is also visible. Fig. 3 of the drawings shows four separate refrigerators arranged concentrically about the shaft 5. As shown in this figure the four separate refrigerators revolve about their own axes 8 in the direction of the arrow, being driven through the gears 67 by the rotation of the whole machine. The separate refrigerators are marked in order of the direction of rotation of the whole machine with the letters A-BCD. It will be seen, that in the position illustrated, the centrifugal force due to rotation cannot actuate the pistons of the cylinders of A, B or C. On the other hand the centrifugal force will result in an actuation of the pistons of D in a. direction towards the other end of the cylinders. With a gear ratio of 1 to 2' for example which would cause the separate cylinders to make a half revolution for one revolution of the supporting member 3. The cylindersof A would come into a position after a movement of the whole machine through somewhat more than 180, such that the centrifugal force would be able to actuate the pistons in the other direction as is the case, in the position illustrated, with respect to the cylinders of D. As hereinbefore mentioned the choice of gear ratio is in itself arbitrary, it being necessary only to ensure that undesired centrifugal forces, of magnitude to cause damage, are not set up.

Instead of operating, as in previous arrangements, with only one piston, the individual refrigerators of the present invention has two pistons acting on the vaporizing jet 17 whereby powerful suction when starting is made possible. The pistons or-cylinders may be made to operate in parallel or one after the other.

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate a section through the vaporizing jet 17 whereby the faultless functioning of the refrigerator may be secured an automatic regulation of the vaporizing jet is provided as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, of the drawings the area of its opening is provided, which regulation is made dependent on the pressure obtained in the vaporizer chamber. Other possibilities of regulation for example that depending on the amount of liquid present in the vaporizer and suchlike which in themselves are already known, are protected in the present invention as equivalent methods of regulation.

Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings illustrate in section a regulator for the vaporizing jet 17 whereby faultless functioning of the refrigerator is secured. As shown in Fig. 4 the regulator consists of the diaphra 111 21 which presses downwards on a va ve pin 22. In order that the pin may have a good surface for pressure, it is provided with a plate-shaped head 23. The diaphragm 21 is secured in a housing formed by the upper and lower diaphragm covers 24 and 25, which ma be'bolted together as shown in the drawings. The lower diaphragm cover is tightly fitted onto the vaporizer tube 16 and the space beneath the diaphragm is connected with the inside of the vaporizer chamber 10 by the opening 26 which arrangement enablesa regulation of approximately constant pressure in the vaporizer chamber to be obtained. The opening of the jet 17 to the vaporizer chamber will be wholly or partially opened or totally closed according to the position of the diaphragm. 27 is a protecting plate which limits the upward travel of the diaphragm and so presents its damage. 28 is a leaf spring affixed by means of the screw 29 which maintains the valve pin 22 under constant pressure in contact with the diaphragm.

Fig. 6 illustrates a partial section through the line B-B in Fig. 1, and shows a tube (Pitot) 30 with the sharpened end opening 31 thereof immersed in the cooled liquid 12 revolving with the container 3. The kinetic energy of the revolving liquid 18 builds up a pressure in the tube which, as diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 7, is utilized in circulating the cooled fluid to the place where it. is to be used and back again to the refrigerating machine. In Fig. 7, 3 is the rotating container which acts as the supporting member for the vaporizer chamber. 18 is the cooled liquid rotating with the container 3. The (Pitot) tube 30 may lead the liquid to a special cooler 32, the liquid being passed by the pipe 33 to the cylinder of a compressor or internal combustion engine which serve as the points of utilization, or it may return it to the compressor of the refrigerating machine itself. The cooling fluid is collected and led back by the pipe 35 to the refrigerator. Thus no special pump is required for the circulation of the cooled liquid.

The ring 86 shown in Fig. 4 placed round the jet 17 and the vaporizer tube 16 is a lagging formed of a suitable non-conducting material and is so placed in order that the cold temperature obtaining in the, vaporizer chamber will not have too great a cooling effect on the cooling medium before it ardenser,

rives at the jet. Too strong a cooling effect causes substances in the cooling medium to solidify which could very readily efl'ect stoppages in the small openings or borings.

Having described and ascertained the nature of the said invention, what I claim is:

In a refrigerating machine, the combination with a closed condenser, a closed vaporizer, and a closed compressor, of a hollow shaft constituting a passage for the flow of refrigeratingfluid from the vaporizer to the compressor and comprising a support for the said vaporizer and compressor; and conand a conduit extending through said shaft comprising a passage for the, flow of refrigerating fluid from said condenser to said Vaporizer.

2. In a refrigerating machine, the combination with a closed condenser, a closed com,- pressor supported within said condenser, a closed vaporizer, and a shaft disposed for rotation about a fixed axis, of means affixed to said shaft for supporting the said condenser and compressor and vaporizer to be .rotated about said axis responsive to rotation of said shaft, the said rotation of said compressor being effective to cause the operation thereof to withdraw refrigerating fluid from the said vaporizer compress and deliver the same into the said condenser.

3. In a refrigerating machine, the combination with a plurality of refrigerating units 60. each comprising, a closed condenser, a closed compressor supported within said condenser, and a vaporizer, of a shaft disposed forfrotation about a fixed axis and having aflixed thereto a laterally extending member for supporting said units for rotation about the axis of said shaft, a plurality of hollow shafts rotatably supported in said member, each said hollow shaft comprising a support for oneof said units and as 'a passage for theflow of refrigerating fluid from its supported vaporizer to its supported compressor, a conduit extending through each said hollow shaft comprising a passage for the flow of refrigerating fluid from the associated one of said condensers t0 the associated one of said Vaporizers, and means for causing the said units to partake of independent rotations in dependence 'upon the rotations of the first said shaft, the rotations of said units being operative to cause actuations of the compressors thereof to compress and cause the flow of refrigerating fluid therefrom to the associated condensers.

4. In a refrigerating machine, a driving shaft disposed for rotation about a fixed axis, a closed receptacle for receiving and retaining a fluid to be cooled affixed to anddisposed to be rotated with and by said shaft, a plurality of hollow shafts extending into and rotatably supported by said receptacle, each said hollow shaft having supported thereon a refrigerating unit comprising, a condenser, a compressor disposed within 'the. condenser, and a vaporizer disposed within the said receptacle in contact with said fluid to be cooled, each said hollow shaft comprising a passage for the flow of refrigerating fluid from its supported one of said Vaporizers to its supported one of said compressors and having a conduit extending therethrough comprising a passage for the flow of refrigerating fluid from its associated one of said condensers to its associated one of said vaporizers means for imparting independent rotations to said units in dependence upon rotations of the first said shaft, the said independent rotations of said units being operative to cause actuations of the-compressor thereof to compress and cause flow of refrigerating'fluid to the condensers and to accelerate transfer of heat from the said fluid to be cooled, and the rotation of said receptacle being operative to cause flow of said fluid to be cooled therefrom.

5. In a refrigerating machine, a driving shaft disposed for rotation about afixed axis, a receptacle for receiving and retaining a fluid to be cooled aflixed to and disposed to be rotated by and with said shaft, a plurality of hollow shafts extending into and rotatably supported by said receptacle,each said hollow shaft having supported thereon a refrigerating unit comprising, a condenser, a compressor disposed within the condenser, and a vaporizer disposed within the said receptacle in contact with said fluid to be cooled, each said hollow shaft comprising a passage for the flow of refrigerating fluid from its support-' ed one of said Vaporizers to its supported one of said compressors and having a conduit extend ing therethrough comprising a passage for the flovv of refrigerating fluid from its associated one" of said condensers to its associated one of said vaporlzers, means for 1m- ;partingindependent rotations to said units independence upon rotations of the first said I shaft, the said rotations of said units being operative to cause actuations of the compressor thereof tocauseflow of refrigerating fluid from the associated ones of said vaporizers the compression and delivery thereof into the associated condenser and to accelerate transfer of heat from the said fluid to denser, and a closed compressor operative to be cooled, and means comprising a Pitot tube extending into said receptacle operative to effect delivery of the said fluid to be cooled to the place of utilization responsive to the centrifugal force created responsive to said rotation of the said receptacle.

6. In a refrigerating machine, the combination With a closed vaporizer, a closed conwithdraw refrigerating fluid from the said vaporizer compress and deliver the same to the said condenser, of a hollow shaft comprising a passage for the flow of refrigerating fluid from the vaporizer to the compressor responsive to the operationmf the latter, the said shaft comprising a support for the said vaporizer condenser and compressor andhaving a conduit extending therethrough comprising a passage for the flow of refrigerat-' ing fluid from the condenser to the vaporizer, and a valve actuated in dependence upon the pressure of refrigerating fluid Within the Vaporizer operative to regulate the flow of said refrigerating fluid thereinto from the said condenser.

In testimony whereof I havehereunto sub-' SCIibed my name this 16th day of July,, A. D. 19 0. LUDWIG ROEBEL. 

